Snowplow



March 10, 1942. J. STURTZ 2,276,265

SNOW PLow Filed Feb. 12, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 A Home J. STURTZ Mar-2h E0, 1942,

SNOW PLOW Filed Feb. 12, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 J. STURTZ March 10, 1942.,

SNOW PLOW Filed Feb. 12, 1941 s Sheets-Sheets Inventor Patented Mar. 10, 1942 UNITED STATES gram" orri ce 3 Claims.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in snow plows and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of this character which is adapted to be expeditiously mounted for operation on the front of a motor vehicle or tractor.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide, in a snow plow of the aforementioned character comprising a pivotally mounted, forwardly swinging blade or moldboard adapted to pass freely over obstructions, novel means for yieldingly maintaining said blade or moldboard in its normal operating position.

Still another very important object of the invention is to provide a snowplow of the character described embodying unique means for ele vating'the blade or moldboard when it is desired to back up.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a snow plow of the character set forth which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, highly efficient and reliable in use, compact, light in weight and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects vention, showing the device connected to thefront bumper of a motor vehicle.

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view, taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view in front elevation of the blade or moldboard.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view, taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view substantially similar to Figure 4 but showing the blade or moldboard in elevated or raised position.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the forward end portion of one of the angle iron side bars of the frame structure.

Figure 7 is a view in horizontal section, taken substantially on the line 1-1 of Figure 5.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a pair of brackets I which are removably secured by clamps 2 on the front bumper 3 of a motor vehicle 4.

frame 5 are pivotally connected at I6 to the Mounted for swinging movement in a vertical plane on the brackets I is an angle iron frame structure which is designated generally by the reference numeral 5. The frame structure 5 includes a pair of spaced, parallel longitudinal side bars 6 one of which is longer than the other, the rear end portions of said side bars being pivotally connected at I to the brackets I. Extending between the side bars 6 are crossed braces 8.

Mounted diagonally on the forward end of the frame 5 is a blade or moldboard 9 of arcuate cross section, said moldboard being of any suitable metal. The lower portion of the moldboard 9 has mounted thereon a wear plate I0. Suitable reinforcing bars I I strengthen or stiffen the moldboard 9.

Mounted vertically on the back of the moldboard 9 at widely spaced points are metallic brackets I2. The brackets I2 include horizontally extending plates I3 on their upper and lower ends. Mounted for swinging movement in a substantially horizontal plane between the plates I 3 of the brackets I2 are channel members I 4.

Secured to the bight portions of the channel members I4 and projecting beyond the ends thereof are shafts I5 the projecting end portions of which are journaled in the plates I3. The forward end portions of the side bars 6 of the inner sides or flanges of the channel members I4. Thus, the moldboard 9 is connected to the frame structure 5 for swinging movement in a vertical plane. The forward end portions of the side bars 6 having extending thereinto slots I I (see Figure 6) which accommodate the inner sides or flanges of the channel members I4.

Mounted transversely in the upper portions of the channel members I 4 are pins I8. The moldboard 9 is yieldingly secured in operating position on the frame structure 5 through the medium of coil springs I9 having one end connected to the pins I8 and their other ends connected at 20 to the rear portions of the side bars 6. Mounted longitudinally on the coil springs I9 are tubular braces 2| having their rear ends engaged with the spring connections 29 and their forward ends engageable with the upper portions of the channel members I4 for positively limiting rearward swinging movement of the moldboard 9 under the influence of said springs I9. In this manner the moldboard 9 is yieldingly secured in operating position at which time the coil springs I9 are housed in the tubular braces 2I.

Mounted beneath the lower plates I3 of the brackets [2 are adjustable shoes 22 through the medium of which the elevation of the moldboard 9 may be regulated as desired. The rear end portions of the shoes 22 have formed therein recesses 23. Mounted for swinging movement on the channel members 14 are skid jacks which are designated generally by the reference numeral 24. It may be well to here state that the skid jacks 24 are for elevating the moldboard 9, as seen in Figure 5 of the drawings, when the vehicle 4 is backed. Toward this end, the skid jacks 24 comprise sprags 25 having their upper ends journaled on the pins 18 in the channel members l4. Mounted on the lower portions of the sprags 25 are rearwardly extending, substantially segmental shoes 26.

It is thought that the operation of a device will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, as the plow is moved forwardly by the motor vehicle 4 the diagonal moldboard 9, operating at the desired depth, pushes the snow forwardly and laterally to one side. Should an obstruction be encountered the moldboard 9 swings forwardly on the pivots 16 in the manner suggested in dotted lines in Figure 4 of the drawings for passing easily over said obstruction. When the obstruction has been passed the springs 19 return the moldboard to operating position where it is arrested and supported by the tubular braces 2|. As the plow moves forwardly the skid jacks 24 simply drag over the ground or snow behind the moldboard 9. This is shown to advantage in Figure 2 of the drawings. However, when the vehicle is backed the sprags 25 bite into the ground or snow and swing the moldboard 9 upwardly to elevated position as seen in Figure 5 of the drawings thereby bringing the segmental shoes 26 into engagement with the ground and shifting the weight thereto. The lower portions of the sprags 25 engage in the recesses 23 in the shoes 22 and said sprags are in this manner braced laterally by said shoes.

It is believed that the many advantages of a snow plow constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood and although a preferred embodiment of the device is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A snow plow comprising a frame structure, means for connecting said frame structure to the front of a power vehicle for swinging movement in a vertical plane, a moldboard, vertical brackets mounted on the back of said moldboard and including horizontal plates on their upper and lower ends, substantially vertical shafts journaled in the upper and lower plates, channel members fixed on said shafts, the forward end portion of the frame structure being pivotally connected to the lower portions of said channel members, and coil springs connected to the frame structure and to the upper portions of the channel members for yieldingly securing the moldboard against swinging movement in one direction.

2. A snow plow of the character described comprising a frame structure, means pivotally connecting said frame structure to the front of a power vehicle for swinging movement in a vertical plane, a moldboard, vertical brackets mounted on the back of said moldboard and including horizontal plates on their upper and lower ends, shoes mounted beneath the lowermost plates, substantially vertical channel members mounted between the upper and lower plates, and skid jacks for elevating the mold board upon movement thereof in one direction, said skid jacks including sprags having one end pivotally secured in the upper portions of the channel members and their other ends engageable with the ground, and shoes on the lower portions of the sprags for receiving the load therefrom, the first named shoes having recesses in their rear end portions for the reception of the sprags when the skid jacks are in operative position.

3. A snow plow comprising a frame structure, means for securing said frame structure to a power vehicle, a moldboard pivotally mounted on the frame structure, coil springs connecting the moldboard to the frame structure for yieldingly resisting swinging movement of said moldboard in one direction, and tubular braces mounted longitudinally on said coil springs and having one end engaged with the frame structure and their other ends engageable with the moldboard for positively limiting swinging movement of said moldboard in the opposite direction.

JOHN S'I'URTZ. 

